UEFA Europa League - FC Porto VS AS Roma Prediction
UEFA Europa League - FC Porto VS AS Roma
Match Time:14-02-2025 04:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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The time has come! FC will face AS Roma this Thursday at 20:00 at the Estádio do Dragão. This clash is one of the most eagerly awaited encounters in the UEFA Europa League playoffs, as both teams failed to secure direct qualification for the next round.
Starting with the Portuguese side, the Dragons arrive at this fixture on the back of two consecutive draws in the Liga Portugal Betclic. The team, now led by Martín Anselmi—who stepped in for Vítor Bruno—continues to seek the right form to embark on a run of victories. Despite a goalless draw against Sporting, the performance showed signs of a shift in the blue and white strategy.
The change to a three-centre-back formation has played a key role in this evolution. The Porto players are slowly establishing new routines, and this tactical approach raises questions regarding the starting eleven for tonight’s European encounter. Otávio Ataíde, one of the few left-footed centre-backs, is vying for a position, while Gonçalo Borges and Pepê have been alternating in the attacking line.
On the other hand, boasts a team full of quality but is not currently at its best. Claudio Ranieri is the third coach of the season, following Ivan Juric and Daniele De Rossi, and he is working to pull the team out of a negative spiral. Roma has already been eliminated from the Coppa Italia and currently sits ninth in , having secured a win over Venezia last weekend.
The Italian side's standout players include Artem Dovbyk, who has netted 13 goals, and Paulo Dybala, a seasoned professional with considerable experience on the international stage. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that Roma has numerous options across all positions.
Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Djalo, Perez, Otavio; Mario, Eustaquio, Varela, Moura; Pepe, Mora; Aghehowa
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pisilli; Dovbyk
Porto vs AS Roma Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
With two wins from the last five meetings between the sides, Porto boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
Roma have picked up one win in that time, which came in February 2019, when they edged out Porto 2-1 in the Champions League knockout stages, while the spoils have been shared twice.
Porto are unbeaten in 15 of their 16 home matches this season, claiming 12 wins and three draws so far.
Roma have won just two of their 17 away matches across all competitions this term while losing seven and picking up eight draws.
Prediction: Porto 1-1 Roma
Unbeaten in eight Serie A matches - after losing seven of the previous nine - Roma have certainly turned a corner, but they still lack resilience on the road. Now adapting to the tactics of another new coach, Porto are enduring a tough time themselves, so the Dragons may have to settle for a first-leg draw.
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